Illustration by Alexa Liu

Scrolling through Instagram is my favorite extracurricular. I basically consider it an internship at this point, and before anyone asks, it WILL be the number one activity on my Common Application. But recently, Instagram has been making me sad. Sure, it was painful enough seeing the Class of 2023 on their European summer trips to Ibiza and Saint-Tropez. But seeing the @hwschool countdown to the first day of school was the final straw. That’s when I decided I need to romanticize my junior year to stay sane. . In the words of Olivia Rodrigo, it’s probably a “bad idea, right?”, but I don’t care! I will single-handedly make Studio City the new Italy. So here’s the full list of ways I will be gaslighting myself into loving junior year, which if I’m being honest, feels like it’s TOTALLY going to be my year.

1. The stairs: getting winded on stairs? Never heard of her! That sounds more like self-care. With all that walking, we’re basically in Europe. Throw in a stroll to the Sportsmen’s Lodge and my legs will be toned for life, and on top of that, I get to do all of it while holding a 20 pound backpack. Cardio and weightlifting all in one!
2. Cafeteria food: What else could you even want in life aside from a cafeteria that sells chicken tenders at 10 a.m.and is sold out of everything except white rice by 1 p.m.? It is truly Michelin star material.
3. Parking lot: these spots are just so incredibly spacious it’s basically equivalent to being on a boat in Lake Como. Especially with the new renovations that forced me to park in the sophomore lot. Oh well! More walking for me!
4. The library: Now I’m not totally sure if the library will be open or not, but I see absolutely no downsides! If they’re open during construction: natural white noise. If they’re closed: no problem! I’ll study al fresco.
5. All nighters: this one is basically a no-brainer. I have no doubt in my mind that studying all night for a test will be equally as exciting as a night out on the town. It’s really just the vibes.
6. College Kickstart: being humbled by an app? Yes please! College Kickstart telling me where I can’t go is basically the same thing as thinking you know the city then plugging in your address to Google Maps and realizing your confidence was misplaced! #cosmopolitan
7. The heat: frankly, what else screams summer more than the angry Valley sun shining its light upon you and giving you a farmer’s tan by the second day of school. Can’t wait to take a golden hour selfie when the sun sets at 4pm. Nature is truly beautiful.